With the State AA tournament set for this weekend in Butte, Helena High’s boys are looking to make noise once again. Pictured are members of the Bengals’ Fab Five 200 and 400 relay teams, which posted a 15-1 record this season. From left, Nick Angeli, Stephen Murphy, Pat Hooks, Colton Bauer and Peter Kotson.

Helena Bengals aiming for state swim title defense

With the State AA tournament set for this weekend in Butte, Helena High’s boys are looking to make noise once again. Pictured are members of the Bengals’ Fab Five 200 and 400 relay teams, which posted a 15-1 record this season. From left, Nick Angeli, Stephen Murphy, Pat Hooks, Colton Bauer and Peter Kotson.

Individually, Kotson is the state’s top seed in both the 50 and 100 frees. He is the defending champion in the 100, and placed runner-up in the 50 last year by one-tenth of a second.

Earlier this season, he broke two state records formerly held by Missoula David Cromwell, the 500 free (from 2000) and 200 free (2002).

Kotson, who has committed to the University of Utah, currently owns nine top-four career state medals — five individual and four relays. A three-time state titlist, he captured a pair of crowns as a sophomore, winning the 100 and 200 frees.

The Bengal stalwart has also been part of two state team championships (2011, 2013) and a runner-up (2012).

HHS boasts three swimmers rated in the top four in the 500 free, including defending champ Hooks (second), Murphy (third) and Angeli (fourth).

Murphy and Angeli are ranked No. 2 and No. 3, in the 200 freestyle, as well.

On the girls’ side, Helena’s Erika Ackerlund is rated second in the 200 freestyle, while Capital freshman Avree Klungland is the third seed in the 100 free.